OcTonEu23. COUNTRY GENTLEMAN’S COMPANION. Gl 
any great advance since'the time that our comparison com¬ 
mences. Had tlie effort to introduce the hen-tailed cocks 
succeeded, it miglit liave been truly asserted that they had 
decidedly retrograded; hut such a misfortune was happily 
averted, by the steady remonstrances of those who opposed 
the attempt, not less on the score of the probable evils to be 
apprehended to tlie breed, than as impairing the appearance 
of the bird. 
It is a frequent subject of remark, that Hamburghs should 
not be criticized by their appearance in the south, but that their 
peculiar districts, in the north and midland counties, alone 
offer a fair estimate of their merits. No one can demur to 
; this; and Avhat has now been stated is based on the results 
, of the very districts most celebrated for the various breeds. 
I If the pencilled and spangled birds are taken separately, the 
' latter, perhaps, are those where stricture should be least 
severe. The golden spangled, especially, would seem to claim 
the merit of greater improvement than could fairly be 
accorded to the other varieties; but how few pens even of 
these are now to be seen perfect in the white ear-lobes, so 
essential a feature in tbe Hamburgh class. 
In both these last-named fowls, as also in tbe Game, the 
remark already made, in the instance of the latter, may 
carry with it some explanation of this seeming stationai-y 
position of the two families. The greater care and attention 
bestowed upon both of them previous to days of general 
poultry shows, arising, as it did, from the peculiar circum¬ 
stances and purposes for which the Game Fowl was kept, 
and, on the other hand, the existence, for a long course of 
years, of numerous small, local societies, wdiere the Ham- 
birrgh Avas the sole object of interest, have probably tended 
to bring about the conclusion that has been stated, viz., 
that neither of these races exhibit a corresponding advance 
in merit correlative to the present position of most other 
fowls. 
The most striking recent dislinctioii in the Poland classes, 
is the introduction of the white, buff, and black, and some 
other coloured birds, into the ranks that fonnerly Avere 
usually made up of the more common Avhite-crested 
black, the gold, and the silver varieties. No description 
of foAvl had a better chance of profiting by the keenness of 
the poultry fancy of the last I'cav years. Economical pro¬ 
perties might be laid aside, and feather alone has been the 
breeder’s aim. Nor have the labours of the latter passed 
unrewarded, though, in many instances, where birds are sub- 
! mitted to competition, a reference to long-established and 
j Avell-known rules should have guided their OAvnei's to the 
j more jprudent course of not thus displaying their faulty 
i faA'ourites; for the Poland class is seldom exempt from 
objectionable features in the candidates, among which may 
be enumerated coarse combs and ill-shaped crests. 
The black-crested AA'hite Poland, AvhateA'er partial success 
has here attended the experiments of some gentlemen, is 
sthl one of the great desiderata of the poultry-yard. "VVe 
have yet to regard it as “ Eara avis in terris nigroque 
simillima cygno.” But, uuknoAvn as Avas the Black SAvan to 
the ancients, it may reasonably be hoped, that a less period 
of j’ears aaIU restore to us the black-crested white Poland, 
than sufficed to introduce the beautiful Australian SAvan, 
Avith its jet black plumage. The experiments of Mr. Teget- 
meier, recently alluded to in The Cottage Gardener, 
point to the probability of such a result, as also to that of 
several of the less distinct sub-varieties having been brought 
into existence by the alliance of parents of certain colours, 
Avithin a comparatively short term of years. 
The character of Polands, as profitable poultry, remains 
unchanged. Beautiful as they undoubtedly are, they are 
better suited to the aviary, Avhich feAV persons can uoav afford, 
than the purposes of economy.—\V. 
THE PROTEST AT ANERLEY POULTRY 
SHOW. 
In reply to the letter from Mr. Lewry, in your Journal of 
the !Jth instant, I beg to hand you the inclosed, and shall 
feel obliged by your finding space for it. I regret exceed¬ 
ingly being compelled to take this step, but cannot see any 
j other Avay of clearing myself of the accusations brought 
foi-Avard by him. — Henry F. Weij.s. 
“ Poultry Show Offices, Anerley Gardens, 
“ August 20, 185.5. 
“ Bear Sir,— The 'protest’ of Mr. Lewry has been sub¬ 
mitted to our Committee; and, in consequence of his 
stating, in my presence, that the birds in Pen 77 were bred 
in December, ’04, and afterwards saying September, ’54, Ave 
consider him influenced by other motives, and his statements 
i not entitled to credit.—Yours truly, “ John N. Ryder. 
“ Mr. Wells.” 
October 17th. 
In reply to the remarks of “ Faiiqilay ” and “An Advocate 
for Fail-play,” I consider it but right I should make a few 
statements of facts in connection Avith the birds exhibited 
’ in Pen 77, as they appear to be labouring under some slight 
i mistake. IMr. Davies was the first to bring the matter 
I before the notice of flie Committee, as some iierson (a 
! stranger to himj stated he could iirove the birds were 
I hatched in ’54, last year, and they Avere in his possession so 
' recently as two months, and he identified the cock by the 
I broken toe. Inquiries Avere instituted by our Committee, 
and it was clearly proved to them that the birds had been 
in tbe possession of Mr. DaA'ies four months, and that the 
accident to the Cock’s toe occured in his OAvn yard. With 
respect to the age of the chicken, the Judges were of 
opinion they were hatched this year.—H. F. Weeds. 
MINORCAS. 
Although disposed to boAV with every respect to the 
opinion of “ W.,” yet, Avhen I see a loop hole, I like to liaA'e 
a shot at him, knowing the return Avill be to my advantage, 
inasmuch as it Avill elicit information from him. 
I object, then, to the use of the term “ Minorcas,” when 
speaking of Spanish. The fact of some having red faces 
does not alter the breed, because it is unquestionable, that 
in every brood, even from the best parents, there Avill be 
almost as many red as Avhite-faced, or, at least, very parti¬ 
ally white. The Avhite face is, beyond a doubt, the most 
important point in a Spanish foAvl; but it is not the only 
one. Length of head and leg, size and shape of comb, 
carriage, and tail, are all points. 
The nomenclature of foAvls is already too extended, and I 
Avould rather lessen than increase the list. I am not of 
opinion that the red-faced are better layers, or that the 
j shells of their eggs ai-e stronger, unless they have been 
' crossed with some other fowl. If such be the case, they 
I cease to be Spanish.— Senex. 
SELECTING CHICKEN AND OTHER POULTRY 
FOR EXHIBITION. 
Have duplicate birds for every one intended for exhi¬ 
bition. Accidents constantly happen, and defeat often 
folloAvs the substitution of a strange bird. 
Let those intended for a pen be used togetlier some time 
before they are sent aivay, and see that they agree. It does 
occur that cocks and hens, 
“ Like wit and judgment often are at strife. 
Though meant each other’s aid ; like man and wife.” 
And it cannot be too strongly enforced that the fact of 
shutting them up together does not imply harmony. The 
antipathies of foAA'ls are sometimes inexplicable. Let them 
travel in a round, close, Avicker basket, covered Avith stout 
canvass. If it be possible, and if the journey be long, let 
them travel by night, as it is their natural period of rest. 
Let them be Avell fed on slaked meal before starting. 
Exhibition fowls should be chosen Avhen young. The 
earliest Dorking chicken should be selected. The cock that 
takes the lead among his fellows. Choose [him Avith a large 
head, good legs and claws, and deep body. Do not be 
alarmed at a little stiltiness while he is groAving. Like boys, 
they are awkAvard at a certain age. Never choose a beaten 
chicken. Choose your pullets long, deep, and loose, you 
will get size and growth out of them. For early chicken 
shows, you may take those that appear prematurely com. 
